Hard West

Hard West is a turn-based tactics title from late 2015, and the measured data for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 shows a configuration that is heavily constrained by the graphics card at higher resolutions. The benchmark results indicate a system capable of high frame rates at 1080p, but one that struggles to maintain playable performance at 4K, particularly with higher graphical presets. This analysis walks through the resolution scaling, GPU and CPU roles, settings recommendations, and overall ranking of this specific combo based solely on the provided measurements.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data reveals a clear and steep decline as resolution increases, which points directly to the GPU as the primary bottleneck in this pairing. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 143 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average drops to 90 FPS, a reduction of 53 FPS. Scaling up to 3840x2160 at Low settings yields an average of 47 FPS, which is a further drop of 43 FPS from the 1440p result. This pattern shows that the rendering load is scaling almost linearly with the pixel count, a classic sign that the RTX 2060 is working at its limit.

The scaling behavior is even more pronounced at higher settings. At 1080p with High settings, the average is 90 FPS. At 1440p High, it falls to 57 FPS, and at 4K High, it plummets to 30 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 4K at High settings represents a 60 FPS loss, which is a 66.7% reduction in average frame rate. This is a significant drop that makes 4K gaming at High settings nearly unplayable, as the 30 FPS average is right at the edge of what is typically considered a minimum for smooth gameplay.

The data suggests that the limiting component changes with resolution. At 1080p, the frame rates are high enough that the CPU, with its 24 cores and 24 threads, is likely providing ample headroom, allowing the GPU to be the sole determinant of performance. However, as resolution increases to 4K, the GPU's workload becomes so demanding that the frame rate drops to 22 FPS at Ultra settings. This indicates that the RTX 2060 is the definitive bottleneck at higher resolutions, and the powerful CPU cannot compensate for the GPU's lack of raw pixel-pushing power. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is particularly punishing, with average FPS at High settings dropping from 57 to 30, highlighting that 4K is not a viable target for this GPU in this game.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is the central figure in this performance analysis, and its specifications align with the measured results. The GPU features 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a key factor in the 4K results, where the higher resolution demands more memory and bandwidth. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS is only 22, which is a direct consequence of the GPU's struggle to manage the increased data throughput. The 6 GB frame buffer is also a potential limitation at 4K, as texture data for Ultra settings can exceed this capacity, leading to performance hits beyond just raw compute.

The GPU's clock speeds are listed as a base of 1365 MHz and a boost of 1680 MHz. These clocks, combined with the 1920 shading units and 48 ROPs, define the raw processing capability. The measured results show a clear correlation between settings and frame rates, which is the GPU's primary role. For instance, the difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p is substantial: 143 FPS vs. 67 FPS. This 76 FPS gap demonstrates how the GPU's shader and texture units are taxed by the increased visual fidelity of Ultra presets. The RTX 2060's performance percentile is 58, indicating it sits in the mid-range of all GPUs, and the data reflects this positioning.

The benchmark scores for the GPU, such as a Passmark G3D score of 14111 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 65014, corroborate its mid-range status. In the context of Hard West, a turn-based game that may not have the most demanding real-time graphics, the RTX 2060 is able to deliver playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p. However, the 4K results are poor, with even Low settings only reaching 47 FPS. The GPU's nearest rival data shows it is competitive with the GTX 580 and RTX 3050 OEM, but none of these would be considered high-end for 4K gaming. The data clearly indicates that the RTX 2060 is the component that dictates the performance ceiling for this combo.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal balance between visual quality and performance for this combo is found at 1920x1080 with High settings. The data shows an average of 90 FPS at this configuration, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. The next step up, Ultra settings, drops the average to 67 FPS, which is still playable but represents a 25.6% performance hit. For a turn-based tactics game where frame rates are less critical than in fast-paced shooters, High settings at 1080p offer a significant visual upgrade over Medium while maintaining a high frame rate. For players who prioritize smoothness, Low settings at 1080p yield 143 FPS, but this comes at a noticeable cost to visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the recommendation shifts to Medium settings, which produces an average of 74 FPS. This is a playable frame rate for the genre. High settings at 1440p drop to 57 FPS, which is still acceptable but may feel less fluid. Ultra settings at this resolution are not recommended, as the average falls to 43 FPS, which is approaching the lower limit of playability. The data suggests that 1440p is a viable resolution for this GPU, but only with a moderate settings preset.

For 3840x2160, the data shows that no preset provides a consistently good experience. The best result is at Low settings with 47 FPS, which is playable but visually basic. Medium settings at 4K yield 39 FPS, and High and Ultra drop to 30 FPS and 22 FPS, respectively. Given these numbers, 4K gaming with this combo is not recommended for a quality experience. The measured rows show a clear trade-off, and the sweet spot for this hardware is decidedly at 1080p with High settings, offering a 90 FPS average that balances quality and performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average frame rate is 67 FPS at 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution with Medium settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the combo achieves an average of 39 FPS, with a minimum of 33 FPS and a maximum of 45 FPS.

Q: Is the RTX 2060 better than the AMD Radeon RX 7600 based on average benchmark scores?

A: The data shows the RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 15290, while the AMD Radeon RX 7600 has a score of 15171, making the RTX 2060 0.8% faster in this comparison.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for a high frame rate?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 143 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at 3840x2160?

A: No, the data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K, as frame rates are low (30 FPS at High, 22 FPS at Ultra) regardless of the CPU's high performance.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 has a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s, which is a key factor in its performance at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Hard West, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 ranks at 2324 out of 2949 combos. This places it in the lower percentile of tested configurations, which is consistent with the measured frame rates that show it is not a high-end gaming setup. A rank of 2324 indicates that a significant majority of other tested combos deliver better performance in this game. The CPU itself is a high performer, ranking in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, but the GPU's mid-range standing (58th percentile) drags the overall combo ranking down.

The data suggests that the combo's ranking is a direct reflection of the GPU's limitations. While the CPU is capable of handling the game's logic, the GPU cannot provide the high frame rates that would push this combo higher in the rankings. The nearest CPU rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K with a score of 83807 (0.2% difference), show that the processor is not the issue. The bottleneck is clearly the GPU, which despite being a capable 1080p card, is outclassed by many other graphics cards in the database when paired with such a powerful CPU. This mismatch results in a combo rank that is much lower than what the CPU's potential would suggest.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a high-end desktop processor with 24 cores and 24 threads, based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture. It features a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, which are impressive figures that contribute to its strong synthetic benchmark scores. In the Cinebench R23 test, it scores 51731 in multi-core and 7303 in single-core, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. These scores indicate that the CPU has immense processing power, far exceeding what a game like Hard West, a turn-based tactics title, would require for its simulation and AI logic.

In this game, the CPU's role appears to be secondary to the GPU. The measured frame rates scale heavily with resolution and settings, which are GPU-centric variables. The CPU's performance is more than adequate to feed the RTX 2060 at 1080p, as evidenced by the high frame rates at Low settings (143 FPS). However, at 4K, the frame rates drop dramatically, not because the CPU is struggling, but because the GPU is overwhelmed. The CPU's 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth also provide a solid foundation for game data, but they do not overcome the GPU's pixel-processing limits. For this title, the data shows the CPU is not a limiting factor, and its high performance is effectively wasted at resolutions above 1080p due to the GPU bottleneck.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the data shows a full range of results across all settings. Low settings produce the highest average at 143 FPS. Medium settings yield an average of 117 FPS, with a minimum of 99 FPS and a maximum of 135 FPS. High settings result in an average of 90 FPS. Ultra settings bring the average down to 67 FPS. This resolution offers the best performance, with all presets being playable.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops across the board. Low settings average 90 FPS, which is a solid result. Medium settings average 74 FPS, with a minimum of 63 FPS and a maximum of 85 FPS. High settings average 57 FPS, which is still acceptable. Ultra settings average 43 FPS, which is on the lower end of playable. The data shows that 1440p is a viable option, but the highest settings start to strain the GPU.

At 3840x2160, the performance is significantly limited. Low settings average 47 FPS. Medium settings average 39 FPS, with a minimum of 33 FPS and a maximum of 45 FPS. High settings average 30 FPS, and Ultra settings average 22 FPS. The 4K results are consistently below 50 FPS, indicating that this resolution is not suitable for a smooth experience with this hardware. The measured FPS breakdown clearly shows a step-down in performance at each resolution tier, with the GPU being the deciding factor. The difference between 1080p and 4K at High settings is a 60 FPS drop, from 90 to 30, which quantifies the GPU's struggle at higher pixel counts.